Variable-volume luggage item

ABSTRACT

A luggage item of which the volume can be varied between a small volume position and at least one large volume position. The luggage item has a structure that can be modified between a reduced position and at least one extended position. A plurality of frames to make non-rigid lateral parts of the luggage item rigid to hold the luggage item in a position corresponding to a chosen volume.

The invention relates to a piece of luggage featuring a capability of volume variation between a position of small volume and at least one position of large volume.

The invention is particularly useful in its application for the manufacturing of luggages with casters, provided with a telescopic handle and comprising non-rigid side parts.

Currently, a system enabling to vary satisfactorily the volume of a piece of luggage featuring casters and a telescopic handle, and comprising non-rigid side parts, is not known.

Indeed, luggages exhibiting casters and telescopic handle generally consist in a floor with side frames, combined with a polypropylene sheet exhibiting a C shape conformation.

This design of the floor and of the side frames, makes it possible to maintain the spacing, the rigidity and the co-planarity of the four wheels, while enabling a good efficiency of driving with the telescopic handle.

Documents EP 1 882 424 A2, WO 2006/023 722 A2, EP 1 097 654 A2 and US 2006/070 837 A1 describe a piece of luggage with a variable volume. The luggage structures taught by these documents are not suited to a piece of luggage, comprising casters and a telescopic handle: indeed, the deformations and displacements of parts that make the floor, do not make it possible to insure a spacing, a rigidity and the desired co-planarity of the four casters that are intended to equip the floor of the piece of luggage.

A first aim of the invention is to propose a new luggage featuring a volume variation capability, the structure of which can be implemented to a piece of luggage with or without casters.

Document US 2013/140 118 A1 describes another system for a volume-variation luggage item comprising an intermediate frame associated with a plurality of foldable joints with a Q shape. The structure disclosed in document US 2013/140 118 is not suitable for a piece of luggage comprising four casters Indeed, the system of expansion described in US 2013/140 118 A1 does not make it possible to obtain the co-planarity of the four casters, because this expansion mechanism exhibits a certain elasticity and cannot be locked in position.

Other luggages with variation of volume have intermediate structures, in particular extension bellows, which cannot be used effectively for luggages featuring casters

A first aim of the invention is to propose a new piece of luggage capable of volume variation, with a light structure comprising non-rigid side parts and having a good rolling quality and a stability comparable with the luggages without volume variation capability.

A second aim of the invention is to propose a new piece of luggage with volume variation capabilities comprising non-rigid side parts, whose selected volume can be maintained, even during rolling.

The invention concerns a luggage item featuring a volume-variation capability between a position of small volume and at least one position of large volume, the volume-variation luggage item comprises a modifiable floor between a reduced position and at least one extended position, the modifiable floor comprising a rigid front part and a rigid rear part, characterized, in combination, by the fact that the front rigid and the rear rigid parts are complementary or with a fitting, to ensure the overall rigidity of the floor in the position of small volume; by the fact that the rigid front part is remote by translation from rigid rear part in a large volume position, in particular by a relative sliding motion, on rigid means of translation; and by the fact that the piece of luggage comprises non-rigid side parts stabilized in the small volume position by rigid stabilizing or stiffening means, as well as rigid stabilizing or stiffening means in a large volume position, so as to exhibit a stable and rigid structure, in the position of small volume and in a position of large volume.

Because the structure can be modified while being stabilized between a reduced position and an extended position, the rolling stability of and the co-planarity of the casters can be obtained in an embodiment of the invention suitable for a luggage item with casters.

According to other embodiments of the invention:

the luggage item features a plurality of stiffening means for the non-rigid side parts so as to maintain the luggage item in a position corresponding to a selected volume.

When the luggage item comprises a plurality of stiffening means, the luggage can thus be maintained in a position corresponding to the volume selected by the user.

The ceiling of the luggage item may feature two complementary rigid parts, or with fittings, in order to ensure the overall rigidity of the ceiling in the position of small volume; the front rigid part is then remote from the rigid rear part in a position of large volume by a relative sliding motion, on rigid sliding means.

The floor exhibits two rigid parts comprising an inner edge with a saw-toothed conformation and connected together by sliding rigid stems.

The ceiling exhibits two rigid parts comprising an inner edge with a saw-toothed conformation and connected together by sliding rigid stems.

The stiffening means advantageously comprise rigid frames and swiveling frames.

The luggage item comprises comprise struts cooperating with C shaped swiveling frame to prevent their distortion during rolling.

The luggage item may comprise means for locking the stiffening frames in order to maintain the piece of luggage in a position corresponding to a selected volume.

The C shaped swiveling frames may be sliding frames, whose ends of the C shapes are guided on rails, laid out on the front face that allows to access to the content of the luggage item.

The swiveling frames may comprise pairs of swiveling frames, laid out in a V shape in the position of small volume of the piece of luggage and appreciably parallel in a large volume configuration of the luggage item.

The luggage item may comprise control means in order to shift from the small volume position of the piece of luggage, to a large volume position, and conversely.

The invention will be better understood considering the following description given as a nonrestrictive example, and in reference to the annexed drawings in which:

FIG. 1 schematically represents a perspective view of a structure of a variable-volume luggage item according to the invention, in the position of small volume.

FIG. 2 schematically represents a perspective view of a structure of a variable-volume luggage item according to the invention in a position of large volume.

FIG. 3 schematically represents magnified perspective view illustrating in detail the locking of a stiffening frame corresponding to a small volume position.

FIG. 4 schematically represents a partial perspective view illustrating the locking of a stiffening frame corresponding to a large volume position.

FIG. 5 schematically represents a perspective view of another embodiment of a variable-volume luggage item according to the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, identical or functionally equivalent items, are referred by identical reference numbers.

The structure of the luggage item with volume variation capability according to the invention, described with reference to the FIGS. 1 to 4, is particularly advantageous for making a piece of luggage with four casters, so as to ensure an appropriate rolling quality in any position corresponding to a selected volume, while preserving the properties of impact resistance, of use and portability, of a luggage item with casters without volume variation capability from the prior art.

The invention makes it possible to vary the volume of a luggage item with casters, in a simple and ergonomic way, without disassembling and any particular handling.

According to FIG. 1, a luggage item 1 with volume variation capability according to the invention comprises a floor 2 and a ceiling 3 and comprises non-rigid side parts.

Two rigid side frames 4 are set between the floor 2 and the ceiling 3. Floor 2 is an extensible floor between a position of small volume of the luggage item 1 and a position of large volume shown on FIG. 2. The floor 2 comprises a front part 2 a and a rear part 2 b. The ceiling 3 can be extended between a position of small volume of the luggage item 1 and a position of large volume shown on FIG. 2. The ceiling 3 comprises a front part 3 a and a rear part 3 b. The front parts 3 a, 3 b of the ceiling 3, exhibit in their brought closer position an opening enabling the assembly of a handle. The 2 a and 2 b parts of the floor 2 are connected in the position of small volume. Two swiveling frames are set inside the structure of the variable-volume luggage item, so as to constitute stiffening frames in the position of large volume shown on FIG. 2. Frames 5 form a pair of swiveling frames, forming a V in the position of small volume. Stiffening frames 4 are continuous rigid frames in the position of small volume ensuring the maintenance of the structure and the avoidance of distortion of the variable-volume luggage item 1. Struts 6 are designed to cooperate with the swiveling frames 5 in the position of large volume of FIG. 2.

The front part 2 a of the floor 2 is preferably a rigid part, whose inner edge exhibits a saw-toothed shape.

The rear part 2 b of floor 2 is a rigid part which advantageously exhibits an inner edge with a saw-toothed shape.

The saw-toothed shapes of the front part 2 a and of the rear part 2 b are preferably complementary in shape, or with fittings, ensuring an overall rigidity of floor 2 in the position of small volume shown on FIG. 1.

The front part 3 a of the ceiling 3 can also be a rigid part exhibiting laterally a saw-toothed shape edge. The rear part 3 b of the ceiling 3 is a rigid part which exhibits an interior edge with a saw-toothed shape.

The front part 3 a and the rear part 3 b of the ceiling 3 are complementary in shape on their side parts, so as to constitute an appreciably rigid ceiling supported by the stiffening frame 4.

On FIG. 2, the variable-volume luggage item 1 according to the invention is shown in a position of large volume.

In this position of large volume, the front part 2 a is remote from the rear part 2 b of floor 2. The front part 2 a and the rear part 2 b, can slide relatively one to the other, on rigid stems 2 c. The rigid stems 2 c can be affixed alternatively either on the front part 2 a or on the rear part 2 b. The clamping means of the rigid stems 2 c are fitted in the hollow parts of the saw-toothed profile while the guiding and sliding means are fitted in the protruding parts of the saw-toothed profile.

The rigid stems 2 c may be made of any rigid material, for example out of glass fiber, out of steel, or a rigid plastic.

Fitting the clamping means of the rigid stems 2 c in alternance in the front part 2 a and the rear part 2 b of floor 2 makes it possible to avoid the stress concentrations due to the embedment of the stems 2 c. This avoids to create a shearing plan on the level of embeddings of the rigid stems 2 c and allows to distribute the forces over a longer length, corresponding to the outline of the saw-toothed shape interior edges.

In a similar way, the front part 3 a and the rear part 3 b of the ceiling are connected one to the other by rigid stems 3 c. The rigid stems 3 c are embedded in alternance in the front part 3 a and in the rear part 3 b of the floor 3. The saw-toothed shape provisions of the inner edges of the floor 2 and of the ceiling 3 make it possible to increase the rigidity of the floor 2 and of the ceiling 3 as compared to straight edges, because the resisting points are set in alternance on both sides of the geometrical separation plan between the front part 2 a and the rear part 2 b of floor 2 or between the front part 3 a and the rear part 3 b of the ceiling 3.

The stems 2 c and 3 c are respectively guided in cylindrical bores 2 d and 3 d The guiding bores 2 d and 3 d are advantageously opened upwards and downwards in order to limit surfaces of friction during the sliding motion of the stems 2 c, 3 c.

During their displacement towards a position of large volume, the 2 a and 3 a parts of the floor 2 and of the ceiling 3 are guided by the closed rigid frames 4 laid out laterally.

During this same movement, the swiveling frames 5 open towards the outside, being jointed with the back face of the luggage item. The swiveling frames 5 stand appreciably parallel in the large volume position. In their swiveling movement, the front ends of the swiveling frames 5 are guided on rails 5 a installed in the edge of the front part 2 a, 3 a of the floor 2 and of the ceiling 3. To this end, the swiveling frames 5 preferably exhibit a C shape conformation, the front ends of the C shape being guided on the slides 5 a from the position shown on FIG. 1 to the position shown on FIG. 2.

In the position depicted on FIG. 2, the C shaped frames 5 are supplemented by the struts 6 which brace the ends of the C shape to supplement the framework 5 and to thus constitute a rigid structure in the large volume position

Thus, thanks to the invention, the variable-volume luggage item exhibits a stable and a rigid structure in the position of small volume and in the position of large volume: indeed, in the small volume position, the side parts are stabilized by the rigid frames 4, while in a large volume position the side parts are stabilized by the swiveling frames 5 supplemented by struts 6.

Struts 6 are set in the alignment of the ends of the C shaped swiveling frames 5 thus making it possible to create a continuity between the ends of C shapes, by the “closing of the C”.

The invention is here described in reference to only one pair of swiveling frames 5 but also applies to an unspecified number of swiveling frames 5, possibly with different orientations.

In the case of a plurality of swiveling frames, the swiveling frames may be jointed with the front or with the back of the variable-volume luggage item according to the invention.

When the swiveling frames are jointed with the back, as depicted on FIGS. 1 and 2, the swiveling frames are of a C shape conformation so as to allow access by the front opening of the variable-volume luggage item.

When the swiveling frames are jointed with the front of the variable-volume luggage item, on the side of the access opening, the swiveling frames may be continuous frames. This provision however limits the swiveling possibilities in the case where a telescopic handle is assembled on the back face of the variable-volume luggage item.

The joints with the front or with the back of the swiveling frames are preferably made by hinges laid out on the top part or on the bottom part of the luggage item.

The movement of the swiveling frames simultaneously provides the spacing of the half-floors 2 a, 2 b and of the half-ceilings 3 a, 3 b to arrive in a position similar to the position described on FIG. 2.

In order to ensure the rigidity and the stability of the variable-volume luggage item according to the invention, in all of the positions corresponding to a selected volume, it is advantageous to provide locking means for the stiffening frames so as to maintain them in a position enabling the transmission of the vertical and side forces.

FIG. 3 shows a locking means for a stiffening frame 4.

The locking means comprises at least one lock, for which the locking position is secured by an elastic effect, e.g. by a spring. In the position drawn with dotted lines, the frame 4 is released from its lock 7, for example during an extension of the bag with a spacing of the half-floors or half-ceilings. In the position drawn in plain lines, the rigid frame 4 is locked in its housing by the lock 7, so as to thus constitute an edge of maintenance of a side face of the luggage item according to the invention. This edge of maintenance comprises the vertical extensions of the frame 4 and the lower and upper outlines of the frame 4 set in the half-floors and the half-ceilings.

The rear part of the stiffening frame 4 may be clamped in the rear half-floor 2 b and in the rear half-ceiling 3 b, while the front parts of the frames 4 are slidingly connected in corresponding grooves with the front half-floor 2 a and with the front half-ceiling 3 a.

The invention also covers the not shown alternative embodiment where the front part of the stiffening frame 4 is clamped in the front half-floor 2 a and in the front half-ceiling 3 a, while the rear parts of the frames 4 are slidingly connected in corresponding grooves with the rear half-floor 2 b and with the rear half-ceiling 3 b.

The operation of the lock 7 can be carried out manually by direct depression, or by pulling a flexible bond, or by other means, so as to exert a force counteracting the effect of the elastic means keeping the lock 7 in the locking position.

Preferably, each stiffening frame 4 cooperates with a lower lock 7, set on the front part 2 a of the floor 2, and with an upper lock 7, set on the front part 3 a of the ceiling 3.

The invention also covers the not shown alternative embodiment where each stiffening frame 4 cooperates with a lower lock 7, set on the rear part 2 b of the floor 2, and with an upper lock 7, set on the rear part 3 b of the ceiling 3.

Locking means other than locks 7 can be considered without leaving the framework of the invention, the essential feature being that the locking means of the stiffening frames 4 may be manually operated, directly, or indirectly, using hand driven or automatic control means.

FIG. 4 shows a locking means of a mobile frame 5. The mobile frame 5 according to this example is a swiveling frame. Other types of strengthening frames can be considered in lieu of the swiveling frames 5, without leaving the framework of the invention.

The invention also covers not shown alternatives embodiments where frames 4 or 5 are sliding frames. In such a case, frames 4 and 5 can be assembled together, thus making a telescopic framework with a fix part corresponding to the geometry of frame 4 and a moving part whose complete exit corresponds to the geometry of frame 5 in the large volume position.

On FIG. 4, a locking means of a mobile frame 5 is laid out in the vicinity of a strut 6 supplementing the C shape conformation of a mobile frame 5.

In the position depicted in dotted lines, the mobile frame 5 has not yet completely swivel to its position of co-operation with the strut 6. The lock 8 is cleared by the end of the C shape conformation of the mobile frame 5, until it arrives in a final housing, corresponding to a large volume position, enabling the strut 6 to carry the forces. In this final position, the lock 8 elastically preloaded in its locking position by an elastic means impedes any retreat of the swiveling frame 5, by ensuring the rigidity of the combination consisting in the strut 6 and the C shape conformation of the mobile frame 5.

The lock may be actuated directly or via a flexible bond 8 a operable from the inside or from the outside of the variable-volume luggage item according to the invention.

On FIG. 5, another embodiment of a variable-volume luggage item 10 according to the invention comprises non-rigid side par, a telescopic handle 11, an extensible floor 12 and a ceiling 13. Casters R are advantageously set on the floor 12. The expansion of the floor 12 and of the ceiling 13 makes it possible to increase the volume of the variable-volume luggage item 10 up to a selected position. The luggage item 10 comprises two rigid frames 14 and two swiveling frames 15. The swiveling frames 15 differ from the frames 5 described in reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, by the fact that these swiveling frames 15 are jointed with the front face of the luggage, and are sliding on the side of the telescopic handle.

The swiveling frames 15 may be continuous swiveling frames or broken swiveling frames, exhibiting a C shape conformation, so as to allow the installation of the telescopic handle 11 inside luggage item 10. In such a case, the side tubes of the telescopic handle 11 may hold slideways or guiding rails for the ends of the C shape conformation of the swiveling frames 15, so as to ease the upward and downward swiveling of the swiveling frames 15.

The swiveling frames 15 may be connected to each other by a rigid framework 16 defining the front face of the luggage item and movable in translation. This provision of the rigid framework 16 defining the front face of the luggage item and movable in translation makes it particularly possible to coordinate the upwards and the downwards swiveling, of the swiveling-frames 15.

A hand driven operation means, integrated in the telescopic handle 11, may be designed so as to control the displacement of the swiveling frames 15 from their small volume position depicted in dotted lines, up to their position of large volume depicted in plain line.

The invention disclosed in reference to several specific embodiments is by no way limited to them, but covers any modification of shape and any alternative embodiment falling into the scope of the annexed claims. 

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A variable-volume luggage item comprising: positions of at least two volumes, a second volume being larger than a first volume; a modifiable floor between a reduced position and at least one extended position, the modifiable floor comprising a rigid front part and a rigid rear part, the front rigid part and the rear rigid part are complementary or connected with a fitting to ensure an overall rigidity of the modifiable floor in the first volume position, and the rigid front part is remote by a translation from the rigid rear part in the second volume position, by a relative sliding motion, on rigid sliding stems; and non-rigid side parts stabilized in the first and second volume positions, by a rigid stabilizer or stiffener, to exhibit a stable and rigid structure in the first and second volume positions.
 13. The luggage item according to claim 12, further comprising a plurality of rigid stiffeners to stiffen the non-rigid side parts to secure the luggage item in a position corresponding to a selected volume.
 14. The luggage item according to claim 12, further comprising a modifiable ceiling between the reduced position and said at least one extended position, the modifiable ceiling comprises a front and rear rigid parts connected together, the front and rear rigid parts of the modifiable ceiling are complementary or connected with fittings to ensure an overall rigidity of the modifiable ceiling in the first volume position; and the rigid front part of the modifiable ceiling is remote from the rear rigid part of the modifiable ceiling in the second volume position by a relative sliding motion on rigid sliding stems of the modifiable ceiling.
 15. The luggage item according to claim 12, wherein each of the front and rear rigid parts of the modifiable floor comprises an inner edge with a saw-toothed profile, the front and rear rigid parts are connected the rigid sliding stems.
 16. The luggage item according to claim 14, wherein each of the front and rear rigid parts of the modifiable ceiling comprises an inner edge with a saw-toothed profile, the two rigid parts are connected by rigid sliding stems.
 17. The luggage item according to claim 12, wherein the rigid stiffener comprises rigid closed frames and swiveling frames.
 18. The luggage according to claim 17, wherein the swiveling frames present a C shape conformation; and further comprising struts configured to close the C shape conformation to prevent a distortion of the luggage item.
 19. The luggage item according to claim 12, wherein the rigid stiffener comprises a lock to secure the luggage item in a position corresponding to a selected volume.
 20. The luggage item according to claim 18, wherein an end of the swiveling frames of the C shape conformation are guided, during a sliding motion, on rails laid out on a front face side of the luggage item to provide an access to contents of the luggage item.
 21. The luggage item according to claim 17, wherein the swiveling frames form a V in the first volume position of the luggage item and stands parallel in the second volume position of the luggage item.
 22. The luggage according to claim 12, further comprising a shifting element to shift from the first volume position of the luggage item to the second volume position of the luggage item, and conversely. 